All is not well with cease-fire agreements

The armed insurgency in North-eastern regions is not a new development. It started with the Naga National Council(under the leadership of Angami Phizo) in late 1940s which demanded abrupt secession of Naga territories from the Indian Union. The Indian government left no stone unturned to contain the rebellion. The Armed Force Special Powers Act(AFSPA) was put in place but the militaristic approach could hardly succeed in bringing peace to the region. The lack of economic development and rampant unemployment have further fuelled alienation among the inhabitants of the region.

Of late, the Government has realized the importance of fostering dialogue and cooperation with the dissenting groups including the armed parties in the region. The cease-fire agreement between Indian government and insurgent groups like NSCN(IM) and NSCN(Khaplang) of Nagaland in the late ninetees and the more recent NDFB faction led by Ranjan Daimary and pro-talk ULFA faction(led by Aravinda Rajkhowa) are remarkable instances of the power of dialogue.

However, the cease-fire agreements have been partly successful in restoring peace in the region. The inter-factional conflict between the armed groups has been a matter of deep concern. For instance, intense fight takes place among various groups in Naga region. The immediate purpose is to either gain political legitimacy among the local people or to exercise trade control in the region.  Often, the hardliners of insurgent groups allege the pro-talk groups of diluting the movement for independence by initiating talks with the government.

Moreover, the  cease-fire signatory groups do not adhere to the ground rules as has been agreed with the government. A closer look at the ground situation reveals that these groups openly carry arms even in the prohibited zone. It has been found that the NSCN-K dominated areas in Myanmar are safe havens for setting up base-camps for groups like ULFA( anti-talk faction) and NDFB(songbhojit).

Hence the government needs to enforce accountability on cease-fire signatory groups for their acts of omission and commission. In holding cease-fire agreements, adequate emphasis ought to be given to all the stake-holders involved in the region. In the long run, development holds the key because it reduces alienation among the inhabitants. The north-east India is the gateway to the ASEAN nations.The ‘Act East’ motto of Indian Government can succeed if and only if there is a strong and secure North-East.